DSG problem 09 GTI Pirelli

[saint_239]

Hi all,

I recently purchased a 2009 GTI Pirelli and have started to notice a distinct hesitation when accelerating from standstill. Initially I thought it was the brakes being 'sticky', however I feel this is unlikely. There also seems a hesitation when shifting from 1st to 2nd under hard acceleration, and also a hesitation in downshifting (finds 1st in D mode about 2 seconds before coming to a complete stop).

There was days between test drives and I can't tell whether this is normal? Does anyone else notice this? If it is indeed a problem I will be looking at the statutory warranty from the dealer to rectify the issue (was outside of VW warranty period).

I will also mention that it has 30,000kms on it and was registered in April 2009. I believe it was used as a daily commuter (short distance from work to home). I'll also add that I have only completed short trips in the car (less than 3kms each), and am not sure whether it needs 'warming up' so to speak.

Any help on this matter would be much appreciated.

[tinto]

It all smells like normal drive by wire DSG operation to me. Do a few searches on DSG hesitation and you'll find a few threads with people alarmed after getting into a new DSG car.

At T junctions I got used to accelerating early if I wanted it to behave like a normal car.
You get used to it, but it catches you out when you switch to a 'normal' car as you start moving much earlier and will t-bone someone if you don't adapt.

For some reason most of us just accept it, but others have installed a product called a sprint booster to eliminate this and say the car is more responsive off the mark.

I saved the money and just learned to plant it, and plant it early! Supposedly the DSG learns how you drive and adapts the shifting to suit. I never noticed that so it either does a great job or doesn't do it all.

(my experience is also in a blue my09 Pirelli in Perth, not that it really matters )

[saint_239]

Cheers Tinto.

I just took it for a 45 minute burn around the burbs (no traffic so was able to try a few different things at each stop sign/set of lights). I found, as you mentioned, that giving it a fair bit made it feel pretty good. I figured it was the tentative take off that was giving me the impression something wasn't quite right.

All was well until I pulled up to my garage and put her in Park (have to manually open my garage). When I got back in, put her in D, and took my foot off the brake nothing happened (had not pushed the accelerator yet). A second or two went passed before something 'released' from the back of the car with a noise, and then it rolled forwards. It sounded/felt like one of the brake's was stuck on. Will monitor this and let you know the outcome as I haven't read anything about this in the forums (although I admit I haven't looked everywhere on here yet).

Shame yours now as I certainly would have considered it at $35k. Interested to know more about where you had your tune as it's something I'm strongly considering.

[tinto]

What you experienced at home is the hillstart function.
On a slight incline the handbrake is engaged so you don't roll back.
As soon as you accelerate it turns off.

I had a DSG GT before my GTI and the car would roll back before moving off the mark.
Add the DSG lag and it wasnt ideal, so they added hill start / assist in later cars.
Perfectly normal

[Umai Naa!!]

The handbrake isn't engaged, the ABS pump applies a bit of brake pressure to hold the car stationary until the ECU tells it there is sufficient throttle applied to get the car up the incline.

As others have said, to drive a DSG car, you need to apply the same sort of anticipation you would in a manual car when setting off.

[Jmac]

The handbrake isn't engaged, the ABS pump applies a bit of brake pressure to hold the car stationary until the ECU tells it there is sufficient throttle applied to get the car up the incline.

As others have said, to drive a DSG car, you need to apply the same sort of anticipation you would in a manual car when setting off.

And the reason you have to do this is the DSG is a Manual.

Cheers
Jmac

[saint_239]

Thanks for the repsonses guys. Makes complete sense and I'm sure I'll get used to it fairly quickly.

[whoalse]

What you experienced at home is the hillstart function.
On a slight incline the handbrake is engaged so you don't roll back.
As soon as you accelerate it turns off.

I had a DSG GT before my GTI and the car would roll back before moving off the mark.
Add the DSG lag and it wasnt ideal, so they added hill start / assist in later cars.
Perfectly normal

+1
Anticipate traffic light changes and gently lift off the brake.....
That hill start/assist holds its position to prevent slipping down on a slope.

[Umai Naa!!]

And the reason you have to do this is the DSG is a Manual.

Cheers
Jmac

^^ This.